Is ethanol free fuel really worth it?

[Lagersolut 706]

I worked on quite a few items - all ethanol problems - I can go through marketplace and pick out the ethanol problems > Ran great last year - now it won't start. Ran great last year carb just needs cleaned etc etc ect

 

Last motor was a neighbors k181 on a Troy built horse - PO said this ^ brand new carburetor from previous year - ethanol broke down the fuel line gummed up the bowl and the jets - 24 hours in dip did nothing - toast .

 

Those of us that seen the damage know - 10% ethanol will never go in my outdoor equipment/tractors

[ebinmaine 69,665]

47 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

think storage is the issue.

Definitely a part of it 

[Beap52 1,014]

I only use   non ethanol in small engines. Usually it 60 or 70 cents a gallon more.  Our local lawn mower shop suggests using non ethanol and if you tell them your mower isn't running or have running issues, the first question they ask is "Do you use ethanol free fuel?" 

 

I've using non ethanol in my '71 El Camino and 47 Chevrolet.  I was having problems with the El Camino loading up and flooding the carburetor in hot weather.  If I let it idle for awhile in hot weather, I'd drive a short distance and find myself sitting along the side of the road with gas leaking out of the carb.  Since using non ethanol this past summer I've not had  a flooding problem and it starts much better in hot weather.

[PWL216 893]

 

[PWL216 893]

Hey guys - appreciate you sharing all the great experiences and advice. I’m going to keep looking for a cheaper source of ethanol free gas. But here in MA, I don’t hold out a lot of hope…

[ebinmaine 69,665]

1 minute ago, PWL216 said:

Hey guys - appreciate you sharing all the great experiences and advice. I’m going to keep looking for a cheaper source of ethanol free gas. But here in MA, I don’t hold out a lot of hope…

 

 

Do a " @Sparky " and make a NH run. 

Or bring cans when you head up here.  

 

[ebinmaine 69,665]

Be aware of the Make your own Efree. 

Only because the Octane levels differ.  

[Lagersolut 706]

Here in central PA ethanol free is readily available about 50 cents over the 10% - Rutter's seen how much that local guy up in Dover was cashing in on it years ago started adding it to their new/remodeled stations - same with Royal Farms

[Sailman 1,299]

1 hour ago, Lagersolut said:

Those of us that seen the damage know - 10% ethanol will never go in my outdoor equipment/tractors

Years ago when they started using the ethanol we had nothing but problems in our small outboard marine motors. Between gumming up the small jets with residue from the fuel lines and condensation in the system.....not just no more but HELL NO more in any of my small motors. They all do fine on the non ethanol. Harleys (premium gas) and 200 HP V-6 Yamaha outboard (mid grade gas) are fine with 10% ethanol gas. Less than a dollar more here for non so it's a no brainer. Not like filling a 20 gal gas tank every other week (truck).

Edited January 20, 2024 by Sailman

[WHX?? 49,863]

8 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

 mix a special cocktail for long term storage.

Care to share that cocktail Ed? 

Regular Miller here is only about a buck higher than Miller Light so about 4.79 a gallon for high test. 

I have been known to be a cheap skate and mix the two to get 5% or less ethanol. Hey you got ??  tractors to feed?? 

[wallfish 17,165]

Well, don't use it in marine engines or airplane engines.

No available ethanol free from pumps in MA. Cans are ridiculously expensive

 

https://generalaviationnews.com/2016/10/24/ethanol-and-aircraft-just-say-no/

[Ed Kennell 39,712]

1 minute ago, WHX?? said:

Care to share that cocktail Ed? 

1 cup  E10

1/4 cup  two stroke outboard oil

1/4 cup  marine quality Sta Bil

Get the engines running, then pull the fuel line of the tank and stick it in the cocktail.   Run it till it sucks the can dry and stops.  Pull the plugs and fog the cylinders.

Drain the E10 from the tank and use it in your Ford or to clean parts or burn trash.

I did this for many years for long term winterizing boat motors and tractors   The one boat had an 86 gallon tank.

[David Blanchard 13]

 In Mass ethanol free from the pump is aviation 100 LL if you can access an airport willing to sell to the public. About $7.50 / gal. Can always take a little roadtrip out the pike to NY  and E0 is easy to find.

Stewarts Shops & others carry it

 

 

 

 

[wallfish 17,165]

25 minutes ago, David Blanchard said:

 In Mass ethanol free from the pump is aviation 100 LL if you can access an airport willing to sell to the public. About $7.50 / gal. Can always take a little roadtrip out the pike to NY  and E0 is easy to find.

Stewarts Shops & others carry it

 

 

 

 

I live right near an airport-- No go and tried other small airports out near I91 where I do a lot of work--no go.

so it's either drive an hour + or buy at $22.50 a gal. And now it seems they even limit stock at area stores

https://www.homedepot.com/p/4-Cycle-Ethanol-Free-Fuel-2-1-Gal-301597210202/318306341

Edited January 20, 2024 by wallfish

[PWL216 893]

The price I got was from a local airport and his license doesn’t allow him to sell to the public.

Edited January 20, 2024 by PWL216

[D_Mac 8,942]

I only use non ethanol gas in all my equipment. I also put Sta -bil in my gas can so every time I put gas in my push mower, tractors, snowblower it's good to go.

[kpinnc 13,060]

4 hours ago, pfrederi said:

i think storage is the issue.

 

I think you are absolutely correct. The amount of time that you might call "storage" is what usually surprises people. 

 

I was told that ethanol fuel becomes "stale" after only 21 days from refinery. That means likely two weeks at the pump.

 

If I had no other choice- I would place an inline shutoff in the fuels system, and drop the bowl any time the tractor would sit more than a couple days between runs. 

 

 

[RED-Z06 2,379]

I buy about 300 gallons a year for my shop and personal equipment use, I buy 10% for everything except for 2 strokes, i buy E-0 for use in strokes.  I dont see any varnish, phase separation, rust or corrosion issues at all.  Ethanol absorbs moisture from the air...but ive never experienced any problems as long as theres not an abundance of water in the fuel from contamination...which is a problem with any gas.  I don't let anything sit over 3 months with gas in it, i run it out or drain it.  

[ML3 1,380]

I use ethanol free in all my yard equipment. In Ohio it's about $1 more per gallon & fortunately there's a local agricultural fuel company in my town. 

[ri702bill 8,694]

13 hours ago, wallfish said:

No available ethanol free from pumps in MA. Cans are ridiculously expensive

About the same in RI. One station north of me USED TO have a dedicated 90 octane non ethanol pump - not now. He sells various grades of VP racing fuel - his "Cheap" stuff is $99.00 for a 5 gallon pail. of 90 octane.... about 20 bucks a gallon. IF you decide to go there with your own empty gas can and have "The Gas Barrista" pour some into your can (2 gallons minimum), the price shoots up to $26.50 a gallon - exactly what my local Home Depot and Lowes charge!!

Edited January 20, 2024 by ri702bill

[ebinmaine 69,665]

4 hours ago, RED-Z06 said:

I buy about 300 gallons a year for my shop and personal equipment use, I buy 10% for everything except for 2 strokes, i buy E-0 for use in strokes.  I dont see any varnish, phase separation, rust or corrosion issues at all.  Ethanol absorbs moisture from the air...but ive never experienced any problems as long as theres not an abundance of water in the fuel from contamination...which is a problem with any gas.  I don't let anything sit over 3 months with gas in it, i run it out or drain it.  

 

It's absolutely baffling to me that you don't see ethanol pearls and other damage.  

It's great! 

Just baffling.  

 

 

[Wild Bill 633 862]

https://www.pure-gas.org

https://www.toptiergas.com

Edited January 20, 2024 by Wild Bill 633

[RED-Z06 2,379]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

 

It's absolutely baffling to me that you don't see ethanol pearls and other damage.  

It's great! 

Just baffling.  

 

 

Right?  I used to buy the E0 for my older stuff on principle but, once they got the ethanol blend pretty solid at around 8% actual, consistently...i haven't had any problems. I dont like the ethanol, and there' modern fixed jet hyper lean equipment thar runs smoother on it, but its not worth the adder cost.  My old truck gets an additional mile per gallon on E-0.

[peter lena 8,965]

@OutdoorEnvy   also use Stabil , fresh line and 2 filters on my stand by generator , zero debris in fuel bowl , or line break down . sits for months , and has an instant start . had an issue , made it go away .  calf hutch , Pete 

[TractorEd 637]

Affordable non ethanol fuel is not readily available near me.  I would use it if it were.  Project Farm and Taryls experiments are telling.  No current fuel additives are going to make the ethanol problems go away.  The higher the octane the better for longevity of the fuel.  Use non ethanol or run it out and drain/clean when not in use.  Add oil to fuel pump and carb after draining/running out to keep diaphragms pliable and protect metal from moisture.  

 

More philosophically, eventually, everything man made breaks.  You WILL suffer no matter what.  Use non E, pay more until stuff eventually breaks.  Use E, pay less for it, but pay more for parts and your time to fix more frequently.  I think the latter is more frustrating, causes more sadness and accelerates aging due to stress.

Edited January 20, 2024 by TractorEd